Tech is confusing. When someone says Android most people probably think of a specific type of smart phone created by Google that runs one of numerous versions of the Android Operating System – but it isn’t ONE phone.
What IS Android?
Android is actually an open source Linux based Mobile Operating System created by a company named Android, Inc that was bought out by Google in 2005.
The Android OS runs on devices other than Google phones – particularly tablet devices – and naming a phone after an operating system is going to make this confusing forever more. It gets worse. According to the Wikipedia Android page:
“While Android is designed primarily for smartphones and tablets, the open and customizable nature of the operating system allows it to be used on other electronics, including laptops and netbooks, smartbooks,[63] ebook readers,[64] and smart TVs (Google TV).
Further, the OS has seen niche applications on wristwatches,[65] headphones,[66] car CD and DVD players,[67] smart glasses (Project Glass), refrigerators, vehicle satnav systems, home automation systems, games consoles, mirrors,[68] cameras,[69] portable media players[70] landlines,[71] and treadmills.[72]“
Or consider this Comparison of Android Devices definition:
Android is a software stack for mobile devices that includes an
operating system, middleware, and key applications.[1]
So technically I suppose you could call ANYTHING running the Android O/S an Android, but it is not even ONE kind of phone!
I’m publishing this post because I’ve been asked to write about Android Apps and to do that well I first have to understand what Android is.
Because there is so much interest in Android I have agreed to share some specific types of Apps and additional information.
For any who wonder, I choose not to use smart phones personally because I have no desire to be tracked wherever I go. For anyone concerned with privacy, I recommend How To See Where Your Android Device Has Been Tracking You.
BEST ANDROID PHONES:
- 40 Best Android Phones
- Gizmodo: The Full List of HTC Android Phones Getting Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (Ice Cream Sandwich is the latest version of the Android Operating System)
- C/Net: The Android era: From G1 to Jelly Bean (July 2, 2012)
BEST ANDROID TABLETS:
-
TechRadar: 15 best Android tablets in the world for 2012
ANDROID OPERATING SYSTEM STATS
-
End of 2010: Android leading smart phone platform
- Q1 2012, Android had a 59% smartphone market share worldwide
ANDROID APPS
- WordPress for Android
- Google Analytics App for Android
- AndroidPit Recommended Android Apps
{ 89 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →
Hello Everyone,
I just want to ask? ou see, Im planning to buy a cellphone. Can anyone suggest here which is better? Iphone4s or Samsung S3? I planned to buy this Christmas. Thanks!
Twitter: GrowMap
December 8, 2012 at 10:34 am
Hi Zack,
I don’t know personally, but I know how you can find out. Go to the post I’ve put in CommentLuv and use the tips in it to find reviews. There will be a ton of them for both of those phones and you can get a feel for which one would be better for you.
GrowMap would love you to read ..Deals or Duds? How to Save Big and Avoid Getting Burnt
Android is an OS for people that want more control over their phone. While iOS is simply dumb-proof. If you have a friend who just needs a cool phone, definitely recommend them an iOS one. They will most likely not be able to sort out how an Android device works.
This site was pretty decent, but I actually think that they could have explained it better, for example http://trendingphones.com/what-smartphone-should-i-buy/ explains it way more clearly and I loved the complicity, just my 2 cents.
Twitter: GrowMap
December 5, 2012 at 8:49 am
complicity?
I’ve found my answer here, I think it explained it a little better then here, but this site was good too, for newbies like me who need more information I think this is better: http://www.trendingphones.com
Thanks for getting me clear about what is Android. I just know google developed Android system.
Twitter: luganikaran
November 23, 2012 at 3:31 pm
A great explaination of Android . MOST of the people work on android but don’t know what exactly android is. A perfect post.
Karan Lugani would love you to read ..Tablet vs Laptop : Which one Should I buy?
Smartphone application have taken more advantage in today\’s business, and increasingly taking the advantage of the new and modren functionality of the smartphone Android is the well known OS used in the smartphone and have also used by so many companies and utilized in a best way.
Android application developer would love you to read ..Mobile Web App Development
That’s a really nice definition of what Android actually means. Though I knew that alrewady, thanks for making me revise it
Gaurav Gahlyan would love you to read ..Spice Mi 355 gets unofficial ICS update
Great article… I’m using android phone too. This article help me to understand a android phone. Thank’s
Twitter: JERRYWHYTE
October 7, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Android is a mobile operating system (software) from Google, its works on third party phones (Hardware) like HTC, Samsung Galaxy, LG, Motorola etc.
So one can simply say, its an operating system software that works on smartphones (Hardware)
Jerrywhyte Obamwonyi would love you to read ..Top 4 Smartphone Features For Social Media
Nice post dude, also you have a stunning site design. Please publish more posts on android. I recently published a top 10 android apps list in my blog”. Please check it..
sebin would love you to read ..Top 10 Best Android Widgets Free Download
Yes, Android is an OS for people that want more control over their phone. While iOS is simply dumb-proof. If you have a friend who just needs a cool phone, definitely recommend them an iOS one. They will most likely not be able to sort out how an Android device works.
Loran would love you to read ..Best Smartphones for Business 2012
Hey thanks for the post .It unveils the term ANDROID and usage of android os in various gadgets. It would be of great use sharing the list of best android apps and phones..
Iphone app also have a great impact on people and for marketing any apps on android and IOS check out iphone app marketing and mobile app marketing
Twitter: NoypiGeeks
September 13, 2012 at 8:20 am
Great information on how android came to be and how it works. Google really did a great job over time and it now surpassed iOS. Android OS is the best mobile OS we have right now. Thanks for the useful references!
Adam would love you to read ..Apple iPhone 5 Versus Samsung Galaxy S3 Specs Fight!
This is a phone which is made by Google and created via Linux! I just pleased to read about this source. Thanks for this allocation.
So I was right every time my friends asked me what is Android I just simply reply its an OS for smart phones, but not even sure it\’s right at the moment. I am about to believe to one of them saying its a mobile processor..lol..
This is a pretty nice explanation of the Android operating system. Android is so far the best operating system ever made for the mobile platform.
Vikas Bhatt would love you to read ..Gmail Sign In [To Multiple Accounts] – How To
Few really nice resources here. The weird thing is that even my grandpa knows what is android now
LaptopForCollege would love you to read ..Lenovo Ideapad Z580 Review
Hi android to me is simply the best system on any smart phone at the moment. The wife has an apple I phone. I have a galaxy s2 yes they are very alike but I prefer mine to hers anyday and that is down to what it works on.
Long live android thanks lee
Lee would love you to read ..New customer discount on insurance
So often the wife/gf has an iPhone and the husband/bf an Android phone….I think there was a point where the Android demographic was ~75% male before becoming so mainstream.
Jakub would love you to read ..NFL Strength of Schedule: A Deeper Analysis
All information in the title is all associated to Android device. Android is owned by Google and created via Linux.
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →